# NTSB ERA24LA014: Piper PA-24-250, N6757P, Ottawa, OH, October 22, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 22, 2023, 15:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Ottawa, OH · Cornfield - Coordinates: 41.01707, -84.09306 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0171&lon=-84.0931&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - SAIBs cited in the narratives: [SAIB CE-09-35](https://openairdocs.org/saib/CE-09-35) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 193279 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193279/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193279 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA014 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to the formation of carburetor ice.. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Temp/humidity/pressure: conducive to carburetor icing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 435 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 23 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was flying cross-country to his home airport after purchasing the airplane. No problems were noted during the preflight inspection. About 40 minutes into the flight at 6,700 ft mean sea level (msl), he noticed a 5-inch drop in manifold pressure. He immediately applied carburetor heat for about 90 seconds. He stated that the airplane “buffered really hard.” He continued to monitor engine performance and applied carburetor heat no less than 4 times for about 30 seconds each time. With the carburetor heat still on he heard a bang and the airplane shuddered. There was no response from the propeller or the engine. The engine lost all power and he began looking for a road to land the airplane on. He discussed his intentions with air traffic control. Unable to find a road without powerlines or automobile traffic, he landed the airplane in a flat field. After touchdown, the airplane entered a cornfield and came to rest upright, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and lower fuselage. Examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal evidence of an anomaly or malfunction that would have prevented normal operation. The airplane was operated in conditions conducive to carburetor icing at glide and cruise power and serious icing at glide power. Although the pilot reported that he used carburetor heat, it is likely that the ice had already accumulated to the degree that the carburetor heat was insufficient to melt the ice and restore engine power. ## Factual narrative On October 22, 2023, about 1515 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250 airplane, N6757P, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ottawa, Ohio. The private pilot incurred minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was preparing for the flight from Abrams Municipal Airport (4D0), Grand Ledge, Michigan to Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), Pompano Beach, Florida, after purchasing the airplane. He conducted a full walk-around inspection and found no issues with the airplane. He departed from runway 27 with full fuel tanks (about 60 gallons). About 5 minutes after takeoff, he observed a few sporadic clouds overhead, so he applied carburetor heat for about 30 seconds, and the airplane “buffered a lot.” About 40 minutes into the flight, at 6,700 ft msl, he noticed a 5-inch drop in manifold pressure. He immediately applied carburetor heat for about 90 seconds. He stated that the airplane “buffered really hard.” Between 1450 and 1506, he applied carburetor heat no less than 4 times for about 30 seconds each time while continuing to monitor the other engine indications. About 1507, with the carburetor heat still on, he heard a bang and the airplane shuddered. There was no response from the propeller or the engine. The engine lost all power and he began looking for a road to land the airplane on. He discussed his intentions with air traffic control. Unable to find a road without powerlines or automobile traffic, he landed the airplane in a flat field. After touchdown, the airplane entered a cornfield and came to rest upright. He exited the airplane on his own and was met by first responders. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. The wreckage was found upright in the cornfield. There was no fire. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The wreckage was recovered to an aircraft storage facility where an examination was performed by the NTSB investigator-in-charge. The engine remained attached to the engine mount that was attached to the firewall. External examination of the engine did not reveal any evidence of case rupture or oil leakage. Control continuity was established from the cockpit controls to the carburetor and propeller. The fuel system gascolators were drained; one contained about 2 ounces of blue-colored fuel and the other contained about 1 ounce of blue-colored fuel. Both samples contained a trace amount of gray particulates that resembled sand. The top spark plugs were removed; the electrodes exhibited normal wear and light gray, lean coloring as compared to a Champion Check-A-Plug inspection chart. Internal engine continuity was confirmed by manually turning the propeller. Compression and suction were observed on all cylinders when the propeller was rotated. Valve action was correct. Both magnetos produced spark to all leads when rotatedmanually. The carburetor was removed and partially disassembled. The bowl was dry and clean. The brass floats were undamaged. The inlet fuel screen was unobstructed and contained a trace amount of light gray particulates that resembled sand. The accelerator pump operated normally. The engine-driven fuel pump was unremarkable. Examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal an anomaly or malfunction that would have prevented normal operation. FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (CE-09-35) – Carburetor Icing Prevention, stated that: “…pilots should be aware that carburetor icing doesn't just occur in freezing conditions, it can occur at temperatures well above freezing temperatures when there is visible moisture or high humidity. Icing can occur in the carburetor at temperatures above freezing because vaporization of fuel, combined with the expansion of air as it flows through the carburetor, (Venturi Effect) causes sudden cooling, sometimes by a significant amount within a fraction of a second. Carburetor ice can be detected by a drop in rpm in fixed pitch propeller airplanes and a drop in manifold pressure in constant speed propeller airplanes. In both types, usually there will be a roughness in engine operation.” A review of the CE-09-35 carburetor icing probability chart revealed the airplane was operated in conditions conducive to icing at glide and cruise power and serious icing at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6757P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6757P-2024-09-07), registration cancelled 2024-09-07, S/N 24-1886, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-1886 - Year built: 1960 - Airframe hours: 2775 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1B5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 2023, 5 hours before - Departed: 4D0, Abrams, MI - Destination: PMP, Pompano Beach, FL - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 14, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 94 total, 3 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 12 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KFDY, 19 nm away - METAR: METAR KFDY 221853Z AUTO 34012G19KT 10SM SCT034 13/03 A3006 RMK AO2 SLP177 T01280028 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20231022021079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231022021079A), Oct 22, 2023: Piper PA-24-250, Ottawa, OH, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Requested VFR flight following from tol apch. The pilot reported a rough running engine, declared an emergency and landed in a field.… ## Other investigations on N6757P (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB CHI73FEM08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI73FEM08), Aug 7, 1972: Piper PA-24 (N6757P), Holland, MI, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193279. 12.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16654408&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's written statement (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 130 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16653592&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%20Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Excerpts - maintenance logbooks (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16654190&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Excerpts%20Maintenance%20Logbooks_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 4, PDF, 8 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16654758&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf - NTSB examination summary (item 5, PDF, 9 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16776322&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5%20NTSB%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf - FAA SAIB CE-09-35 (item 6, PDF, 3 pages, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16752110&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6%20FAA_SAIB_CE-09-35_Carb_Icing_Prevention-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.